Superyachts, more specifically the mighty Lana, one of the largest Benetti yachts ever built at 351 feet, are all about sumptuousness, silk carpets, and stunning interiors. Yet, Lana is now grabbing the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, sprains, scratches, and scars. The superyacht, once the preferred luxury vessel of stalwarts like Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his party guest, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, left its private security consultant, Sam Gumble, with far more than a mere bad experience. The 38-year-old former British soldier was struck by a high-pressure jet of water, smashing his shoulder as he scrambled to escape his cabin after an alarm suggested the vessel was sinking.
The painful ordeal led to corrective shoulder surgery, but the aftermath has been brutal. Gumble writhes in pain, struggles with restricted movement, and faces a loss of strength, a combination that has severely impacted his work opportunities. Now, the man who once served in the British Army and the French Foreign Legion is suing his employers, Veritas International Consultancy, for more than $250,000 in damages. Adding insult to injury, he barely had time to savor the scenic Middle East, having arrived just two days before the accident. The damage did not just wreck his shoulder, but it also crushed any plans of enjoying the region, including what should have been an exhilarating experience at the Saudi Grand Prix.
The $1.9 million-per-week motoryacht was sailing from Oman to Saudi Arabia when the alarm blared just hours after departure. Had it been nothing more than a minor scrape or bruise, the yacht’s highly skilled crew of beauty therapists, masseuses, and wellness instructors could have nursed the former soldier back to health. But his fateful encounter with a gushing torrent from the ceiling ensured that was not an option. Now, the Essex resident has filed a High Court claim, listing his injuries: a fracture dislocation, a massive rotator cuff tear, and tendon damage, along with severe bruising. Worse still, doctors warn he could later suffer from posttraumatic osteoarthritis.
Meanwhile, Lana continues to shine like a diamond, thanks to its meticulously involved owner, who is said to have personally climbed through the bilges, inspecting every inch to ensure his vision of quality was executed to the nth degree. If only he had been able to prevent this mishap, perhaps Gumble would have left the yacht grateful instead of broken.
Lavish, luscious, and lovely, Lana yacht-
The real question isn’t what you love about Lana, but rather what you don’t, which is a much shorter list. If the grand main saloon, adorned with pale gray sofas flanking a white leather, marble, and stainless-steel coffee table, with striking bursts of art on the walls, is a favorite, then prepare to be utterly spoiled. The gorgeously decorated dining saloon houses an expansive dining table crafted from wood, leather, and stainless steel, exuding refined elegance.
For many, the bridge deck master suite aboard the five-decker is the yacht’s pièce de résistance, boasting broad balconies, a custom-made desk paired with Bentley armchairs, and bespoke lamps adorned with tiger’s eye gemstones. Carved carpets add a touch of opulence, while seven exquisitely designed guest cabins ensure that luxury is never in short supply.
Entertainment on the 3800 GT vessel knows no bounds with a dedicated DJ deck, a stunning swimming pool, an onboard cinema, and alfresco dining with uninterrupted ocean views. Every bit worth its staggering $1.9 million per week charter price, Lana also caters to adventure seekers with an impressive fleet of tenders and toys. And for those who fancy a swing at sea, golf clubs with biodegradable balls add a playful touch to this floating paradise. Incredibly impressive, the motor yacht Lana required 300 people working on the yacht every day for four years, and the result speaks for itself.
The $200 million Lana yacht initially belonged to a Russian millionaire Alexander Vershavsky, and is currently owned by a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family, Sheikh Suroor Mohamed Khalifa al Nahyan, owner of Abu Dhabi Mall and the Etihad Towers.
